It is estimated that around 2.4 million people in Ireland now have smartphones. That’s about 70% of the adult population. With this technology becoming more and more commonplace, we are finding new ways to integrate these phones into our lives. One of the most common ways to do this is with apps, and given that we have our phones on us almost all of the time, it can actually be a very effective way to measure and accomplish your fitness goals. Below we’ve listed five fitness apps that can be used for a variety of reasons.

Noom

Starting off with the app I use, Noom Walk is a fairly straightforward pedometer. However, compared to many others, it uses very little batter life, and has a great interface. The app measures your steps on a daily, weekly, and total basis. You can view all your days chronologically, and the richer the green, the more steps you took that day. The app uses friends, high fives, total counts, and other techniques to incentivize you to walk more and beat your daily goals. It can also be synced with another app, Noom Coach, which keeps track of your weight and what you eat.

Charity Miles

As the name suggests, Charity Miles is a pedometer style app with a philanthropic twist. Companies from all over the world sponsor this app, which allows users to earn money for the charity of their choice while they work out. As you walk, run, or cycle around, the app will track your distance and reward your charity based on how far you go. Running and walking will earn you $0.25 per mile, while cycling will get you $0.10 per mile. The app also allows you to raise money for a different charity each time, or stick with one, offering a major incentive to work out.

Johnson & Johnson

The Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout App is aimed at people who don’t have time to get to the gym on a regular basis, but still want to keep in shape. The app includes all the exercises you would expect, such as pushups and crunches, but ties them all into a quick and effective routine. The great thing about this app is that it isn’t a one size fits all regimen, but actually allows you to select the intensity of your workout. All you need is the app, which is free, a chair, and 7 minutes.

RockMyRun

Anyone who has ever worked out knows the importance of choosing the right music. RockMyRun takes playlists to the next level by synchronising the tempo of the music to your pace based on when your feet hit the ground. If you have a heart rate monitor, it can also sync up with this, or you can simply set the tempo yourself. Whichever option you choose, RockyMyRun can help make your training more effective.

JEFIT Workout

JEFIT Workout is a fitness scheduling app designed to help keep you in your routine. As you would expect, the app keeps track of your statistics, but unlike other similar apps, also allows you to create a schedule. There are over 1,300 exercises in the app, which can be planned right down to the weight you’re lifting and how many reps you do. Best of all, the app is free.